The article below is in a Wigan newspaper today. The lady mentioned is a very good friend of mine and Homer is/was the brother to our dog Mushu.

We all need to take care when allowing our children and dogs to go swimming/paddling in open water courses.

A dog lover has issued a warning to pet owners after her labrador fell into a pond containing E-Coli at Haigh Hall and died.

Mica Korab, 40, a successful dog breeder from Hindley Green is now warning people not to let their pets roam at the eternally popular nature reserve - and wants the country park to make people more aware of what dangers lurk in their waters.

The labrador, a four-and-a-half year-old pedigree called Homer, had to be destroyed after falling into the park's Swan pond in June.

She said: "My dog got into difficulty in a pond at Haigh Hall, and I had to go in after him. That night, I was up with diarrhoea and vomiting and a few days later my dog started too.

"I took him to the vets, who prescribed antibiotics, and they tested a sample of the water for me. My dog got sicker in the following few weeks and eventually we had to put him down.

"When the test results came back, they showed E-Coli was present in the water - I couldn't believe it.

"I am not saying that this pond water killed my dog, but it was definitely a factor in his death. It may have made him weaker and more susceptible to infections."

Mrs Korab, a married mum of one, added: "What I am most upset about now is the attitude of Haigh Hall. They are refusing to put up any signs warning people of the dangers - it's not just animals, what if a child were to fall in there?"

Haigh Hall and Country Park manager, Tim Sharrat, said: "We were very sorry to hear about Mrs Korab's loss. We have taken into account her concerns about the water at Swan Pond and have been pro-active and sympathetic in our response.

"We recently tested the water at Swan Pond in conjunction with environmental health. Results show that the levels of E-Coli and other chemicals found in the water were no different than those found naturally in any rural watercourse.

"Swan pond is located deep within Haigh's plantations and like any other area of naturally occurring water, canal or lake is unsuitable for public bathing. It is impractical to suggest that we put up 'no bathing' signs here. This would suggest that every watercourse across the country would require such signage.

"Haigh Hall and Country Park is a safe place to visit and we are proud of our record on health and safety."